SportsNet - June 2013

In the last few hours before the real transfer window begins, we will have to endure the phoney transfer rumours which are perpetrated by lazy journalists, especially in the UK, where they have a propensity to make up stories out of nothing.

First up is the old chestnut and hacks standby story, Wayne Rooney. Despite that fact that my Old Trafford sources have assured me that there is no possible chance of Rooney leaving United this season, the media will have their moment of fantasy. It is annoying for fans around the world who do not have my contacts, and thereby, my inside knowledge that these rumours of Rooney leaving are utter fiction. Talk of clubs preparing bids for the player is even more far-fetched. It is simply not worth discussing any further, so I will move onto the next piece of joke journalism.

Arsenal could seal a bargain transfer deal for Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar. According to The Daily Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson, the Gunners will bid £1.5 million for Cesar after the Confederations Cup.

The 33-year-old will lead Brazil out in the final of that tournament against Spain. Arsenal are expected to confirm his switch to North London after that, at the start of next week.

This is not the first time Cesar has been linked with Arsenal. At the end of May, Italian website TuttoMercatoWeb, claimed a contract had already been agreed.

Bookies Sky Bet even suspended betting on the transfer at the start of June. Since then rumors of Arsenal's interest in Cesar have cooled.

Given the fortunes of players during the off-season, they shouldn't be putting up as much of a fight as they are.

Wednesday morning saw New England Patriots Tight End Aaron Hernandez arrested and charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional footballer and friend of the accused. Hernandez was held without bail as the gravity of the situation finally becomes clear to all who watch on in shock. It seems the Patriots have already made their mind up on the matter, moving quickly to release the man who signed a five-year, $40 million contract just last summer.

Hernandez wasn't the only player to be charged on Wednesday. Cleveland Browns rookie Ausar Walcott was also released after it emerged that he had been charged with attempted murder for punching a man outside a club in New Jersey. Two extremely serious incidents within a matter of hours than have disgraced the NFL once again.

The Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics both made statements on Thursday, with a trade that signals the intentions of both teams going forward.

The Nets are going for a Championship.

The Celtics are starting over.

The basketball world was shook to it's core when the Celts dealt Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry and Paul Pierce to the Nets for three first-round picks (2014, 16, 18), Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries' expiring contract, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph and a sign-and-trade deal with Keith Bogans. This deal, subject to confirmation from the league, represents yet another bold move for the Nets as they look to establish themselves as an NBA super-power, while it signals the end of an era in Boston.